Moving To Dubai From The UK

Moving to Dubai

If you are planning on moving to Dubai, Britannia Movers International has the expertise and the local knowledge to tailor the move to your individual needs.

Importing Personal Effects to Dubai

Shipments of household goods and personal effects are allowed duty free entry provided they have been owned prior to importation. All books, CDs, and DVDs are subject to physical inspection and should be packed separately. To enter Dubai and import your personal effects you will need your passport, a visa, and a packing list. Your local Britannia agent will supply you with any additional customs forms you may need.

Prohibitions and Restrictions

In general it is in your interest not to import the following items:

Firearms & ammunition

Inflammable goods & substances

Plants & plant material

Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise

Narcotics and dangerous goods

Offensive materials

Alcohol & Tobacco

Transit Times

Groupage or shared load consignments to Dubai usually take 8 to 12 weeks door to door. However, this can vary depending on volumes being shipped, customs or immigration delays and prevailing weather conditions. Sole use containers usually take 5 to 6 weeks door to door.

Bar Coding

All Groupage consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the shipping container. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.

Domestic Pets

Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures.

Moving to Dubai With Britannia

Customs Clearance – It normally takes 7 to 10 days for customs clearance and delivery. The time taken to clear goods through customs can be affected by Government policy, X-raying of goods, physical inspection, volume of traffic and the levy of any import duties or taxes.

Living in Dubai

Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates and is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula. Although Dubai’s economy was formerly built on oil and natural gas, these currently account for just over 5% of Dubai’s revenues. In recent years, Dubai has emerged as a modern, cosmopolitan city and a business hub, combining its Islamic culture with international influences. More and more tourists are attracted both by Dubai’s cosmopolitan atmosphere and its historical and modern attractions and for the adventurous or business-minded expats, it can be an appealing destination.

There are certainly some clear-cut pros and cons you will have to consider before moving to Dubai. The city has become a business centre in recent years, and its development projects and economic growth are also attracting many companies. If you are a budding entrepreneur, there are a variety of business and investment opportunities in Dubai, and there’s no personal income tax. Dubai is also culturally diverse, with over 85% of the population not originally from the UAE, it is one of the shopping centres of the world, and there are great beaches, sports, and entertainment options. On the other hand, if you are moving to Dubai, you can expect censorship of the internet, and very strict regulations regarding alcohol, rent property, TV, telephone and some other private issues. Although a real estate hub, Dubai’s infrastructure, though usable is not as developed as what you might be used to in Europe. Dubai is not just about glamour, as many foreign labourers have to live in harsh poverty and suffer labour injustices, and there’s a considerable social gap between rich and poor.

Dubai might be the place to move to for those looking to set up new businesses or find employment in a city with rapid economic growth. On the other hand, you will definitely have to take into account the cultural and social differences before making your final choice.

Interesting Facts About Dubai

In 1991 there was 1 skyscraper in the city, nowadays there are around 400.

The Burj al-Arab hotel in Dubai is the world’s tallest hotel, and is considered the only 7 star hotel in the world.

The world’s first underwater hotel is also to be found in Dubai.

There are no street addresses in Dubai.

Dubai has the world’s first man-made islands, called the Palm Islands.

Tips about Moving to and Living in Dubai

If you want to move to Dubai permanently, you will need a visa and a residency permit.

It is recommended that you arrange a job from your home country, as getting a job from Dubai can be extremely difficult.

There are a number of American and British international schools in Dubai, so if you are moving with your kids, you should be able to find a suitable school.

The cost of living and housing in Dubai is not very different from the UK. Housing, commodities and services are all rather expensive, but there is no personal tax.